GALAXY NEXUS ANDROID 4.4 KITKAT GUIDE

Google sure did upset us by not including Galaxy Nexus in the Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade plans for the Nexus devices. But thanks to the third party developers around here that we always get a choice to install new Android updates, no matter how obsolete is our device’s hardware is.

And talking about hardware, the Galaxy Nexus could easily afford the Android 4.4 KitKat!

Anyway, not even two days passed since the release of Android 4.4 source code and we’re already seeing Android 4.4 ports releasing for the Galaxy Nexus. However, these releases are very early builds and a lot of work is still to be done for everyday use, so take caution and have a Nandroid backup in place before attempting to install Android 4.4 KitKat on your Galaxy Nexus.

Bugs known so far:

WARNING!

Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page.

You only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

CHECK DEVICE MODEL NO.

To make sure your device is eligible with this, you must first confirm its model no. in ‘About device’ option under Settings. Another way to confirm model no. is by looking for it on the packaging box of your device. It must be GT-I9250!

Do not use the procedures discussed here on any other device. You have been warned!

BEFORE YOU BEGIN..

You must do this pre-installation stuff before attempting to install the ROM on your Galaxy Nexus in order to avoid any complications later, and have a smooth and successful process.

BACK UP YOUR DEVICE

Back up important data and stuff before you start playing around here as there are chances you might lose your apps and app-data (app settings, game progress, etc.), and in rare case, files on the internal memory, too.

For help on Backup and Restore, check out our exclusive page on that linked right below.

INSTALL GALAXY NEXUS DRIVER

You must have proper and working driver installed on your windows computer to be able to successfully install a firmware on your Google Galaxy Nexus. In case you’re not sure, follow the link below for a definitive guide for installing driver for your Nexus device on your computer.

CHARGE YOUR DEVICE

If your android device powers off due to lack of battery while the process is underway, it could damage the device.

So, make sure your device is adequately charged — at least 50% battery of the device.

EXAMPLE VIDEO

If you haven’t used a custom recovery, either CWM or TWRP, before, to install a .zip file of a ROM on anything else, then we suggest you first watch a video of that, given right below, to get familiar with the process.

Just fyi, the video below shows installing a .zip file (of recovery) on Galaxy S3, but it doesn’t matter as the process remains exactly same. So, once you are finished with video, jump to downloads and step-by-step guide below.

GALAXY NEXUS ANDROID 4.4 KITKAT UPDATE INSTALLATION GUIDE

DOWNLOADS

Download the files given below and transfer them to a separate folder on your phone and remember the location.

Reminder: Before you proceed, make sure you’ve transferred the files you downloaded above to a separate folder on your phone.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Make sure you have backed up your phone adequately (including important data stored on internal memory). Also create a nandroid backup using your recovery for additional safety.

You’ll need either CWM or TWRP recovery for installing the AOSP Android 4.4 KitKat based Slim Bean ROM on your Galaxy Nexus. And since CWM and TWRP recoveries function differently we’ve put together separate guides for both of them. So if you’re a CWM user, follow the CWM users guide and if you’re a TWRP user follow the guide for TWRP users.

GUIDE FOR CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY (CWM) USERS

Boot into recovery mode. For this:

Power off your device and wait 4-5 seconds after lights go off.

Press and hold Volume Down + Power key together and release the Power key once the Google logo appears, but keep holding the Volume Down key. You will be in Bootloader mode now.

Press Volume Down two times so that Recovery option appears, and then press Power key to reboot into recovery mode.
└ In recovery, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.

Create a Backup from recovery. It’s optional but very important to do, so that in case something goes wrong you can restore to current status easily.

Perform a Factory Reset (This will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). For this:

Select Wipe data/Factory reset, then select Yes on the next screen to confirm factory reset (screenshot)

Select Install zip » Choose zip from sdcard (or external sdcard, you know where your files are) » browse to the location where you saved the file and select the Slim-maguro-4.4.alpha.1-UNOFFICIAL-20131102-1140.zip file » select Yes on next screen to confirm installation of the file

Now similarly flash the gapps-kk-20131031.zip file, as you did in step 4.
└ Make sure to first flash the ROM file and then the Gapps file.

After you are done with flashing of the files, reboot your device. For this, go back to the main menu of recovery and select reboot system now.

That’s all. Your phone will now reboot and it will take some time as it’ll be phone’s first boot after installing Android 4.4, be extremely excited for this!

GUIDE USING TWRP RECOVERY

Boot into recovery mode. For this:

Power off your device and wait 4-5 seconds after lights go off.

Press and hold Volume Down + Power key together and release the Power key once the Google logo appears, but keep holding the Volume Down key. You will be in Bootloader mode now.

Press Volume Down two times so that Recovery option appears, and then press Power key to reboot into recovery mode.
└ In recovery, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.

Create a Backup from recovery. It’s optional but very important to do, so that in case something goes wrong you can restore to current status easily

Perform a Factory Reset (this will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). For this:

Tap on Wipe » then at the bottom of the screen do a Swipe on the ‘Swipe to factory reset‘ option (screenshot)

Tap on Install » browse to the location where you saved the files and tap on the Slim-maguro-4.4.alpha.1-UNOFFICIAL-20131102-1140.zip file. Now at the bottom of the screen, do a swipe on the Swipe to confirm flash option to begin flashing.

Now similarly flash the gapps-kk-20131031.zip file.
└ Make sure to first flash the ROM file and then the Gapps file.

After you are done with flashing of the files, reboot your device. For this:

Go back to the main menu of recovery and tap on Reboot » then, tap on System to reboot your phone.

That’s all. Your phone will now reboot and it will take some time as it’ll be phone’s first boot after installing Android 4.4, KitKat. Be very excited, man!

Shivam is our resident designer and web developer who also enjoys writing. He loves to meditate, drive on the freeways and hunt for snipers during his Call Of Duty playtime.
Email: shivam@theandroidsoul.com